Calculate the distance traveled based on speed and time.
km/h
mph
m/s
ft/s
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Calculated Distance:
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Understanding the Distance Formula
The fundamental relationship between distance, speed, and time is one of the most basic principles in physics and everyday life. The formula used is straightforward:
Distance = Speed × Time
This formula allows us to determine how far an object has traveled if we know how fast it was moving and for how long.
Units of Measurement
It is crucial to ensure that the units of speed and time are compatible. For instance, if speed is measured in kilometers per hour (km/h), time should be measured in hours to yield distance in kilometers. If the units are not compatible, conversion is necessary before applying the formula.
This calculator handles common unit conversions to provide accurate results. The supported units are:
Speed: Kilometers per hour (km/h), Miles per hour (mph), Meters per second (m/s), Feet per second (ft/s).
Time: Hours (h), Minutes (min), Seconds (s).
How the Calculator Works
When you input your speed and time, the calculator first converts both values to a base set of units (meters and seconds) to ensure accurate calculation.
Speed Conversion: The input speed is converted into meters per second (m/s).
Time Conversion: The input time is converted into seconds (s).
Calculation: The distance is then calculated using the formula: Distance (meters) = Speed (m/s) × Time (s).
Final Output: The result is displayed in meters, and optionally, can be converted to other common units like kilometers or miles. For simplicity in this calculator, the primary output is in meters.
Common Use Cases
Travel Planning: Estimating the distance you'll cover on a road trip based on your average speed and planned driving time.
Physics and Science: Solving problems in mechanics and kinematics where distance, speed, and time are variables.
Everyday Situations: Understanding how far you might walk or run in a certain amount of time.
Logistics: Calculating travel distances for deliveries or transportation.
By using this calculator, you can quickly and easily determine distances, saving you the effort of manual unit conversions and calculations.
function calculateDistance() {
var speed = parseFloat(document.getElementById("speed").value);
var speedUnit = document.getElementById("speedUnit").value;
var time = parseFloat(document.getElementById("time").value);
var timeUnit = document.getElementById("timeUnit").value;
var distanceResultElement = document.getElementById("distanceResult");
if (isNaN(speed) || isNaN(time) || speed < 0 || time < 0) {
distanceResultElement.textContent = "Invalid input. Please enter non-negative numbers.";
return;
}
var speedInMs = 0;
switch (speedUnit) {
case "kmh":
speedInMs = speed * 1000 / 3600; // km/h to m/s
break;
case "mph":
speedInMs = speed * 1609.34 / 3600; // mph to m/s
break;
case "ms":
speedInMs = speed; // already in m/s
break;
case "fts":
speedInMs = speed * 0.3048; // ft/s to m/s
break;
}
var timeInSeconds = 0;
switch (timeUnit) {
case "h":
timeInSeconds = time * 3600; // hours to seconds
break;
case "min":
timeInSeconds = time * 60; // minutes to seconds
break;
case "s":
timeInSeconds = time; // already in seconds
break;
}
var distanceInMeters = speedInMs * timeInSeconds;
// Display results in meters, and also convert to km and miles for added context
var distanceInKilometers = distanceInMeters / 1000;
var distanceInMiles = distanceInMeters / 1609.34;
distanceResultElement.innerHTML =
distanceInMeters.toFixed(2) + " meters" +
distanceInKilometers.toFixed(2) + " kilometers" +
distanceInMiles.toFixed(2) + " miles";
}